Those with diabetes, dementia and chronic pulmonary disease at high risk

[BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup]

According to Sky News if you have diabetes, dementia or chronic pulmonary disease you are at high risk of dying from Covid-19.

They can't clarify whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-a-quarter-of-covid-19-patients-who-died-in-england-had-diabetes-11988326

There is an increase in ketoacidosis, particularly in people with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 on some medications. However, I think that's only part of the picture.

"Type 1 diabetics more likely than type 2 to die of coronavirus – study

People with type 1 diabetes – the autoimmune form of the disease – are three-and-a-half times more likely to die if they catch Covid-19 than non-diabetics, while type 2 diabetics – those with the form closely linked to being overweight – are twice as likely to die as non-diabetics. Nine out of 10 diabetics have type 2, and many are obese."

www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/20/type-1-diabetics-type-2-coronavirus-nhs-study

@NervousInYorkshire may be worth starting a new thread so people clearly see the information?

The goverment can't be bothered giving us clear stuff and PHE waits months before doing so.

The government can't be bothered giving us clear stuff and PHE waits months before doing so

I think this is harsh. There has been interim information for people with diabetes around DKA, sick day rules and CV risk. It was clear from Chinese research that diabetes was one of the underlying conditions that made people vulnerable.

We're learning about this virus all the time, it takes time to get the correct research and accurate figures. The paper has been released before peer review and was done by the NHS and PHE. It's not about not being bothered.

Although medically assoc with obesity there may be a lot of sub clinical type 2 diabetes in patients who are borderline and in normal weight/ overweight ranges particularly in the 65+ age group. It is probably another disease of old age. In younger age groups it is probably exclusively the result of obesity.*

My husband was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic 3 weeks ago, with a bmi of 24. He's early thirties. Very active man.

The GP thought he might be type one as his mother is but the ketones test wasn't high enough. So he's on two metformin and one glycacide (that's not spelled right) a day.

I'm
Worried they have diagnosed him Incorrectly He's been working in an essential role throughout the crisis and continues to do so.

I've never heard of such a healthy person, of his age developing type 2 before. He doesn't drink alcohol but he does smoke.

frogsbreath I know a couple of people who are type 2 both were young when diagnosed and both very fit

I was diagnosed at 32, and was more towards underweight BMI wise.
The only times I've ever had a decent (not too high) hba1c is when i was the heaviest I've ever been (9st10) and my BMI was veering towards overweight.

Thanks rosie1959 and NervousInYorkshire for sharing that. I've been really scared he's actually type one and so at even greater risk of covid-19. The risk for type two diabetics is bad enough of course

frogsbeath I don’t think type 1 are more or less of a risk I suspect most of the deaths are over 60 with other underlying health conditions and type 2 as obesity is also a risk factor
Good control is important as if your blood sugars run too high it makes your blood sticky and at risk of infection
My daughter is type 1 and has pneumonia twice making her very very ill

Yes there are slim and fit type 2s but 90% of type 2s are overweight. That isnt me being mean, it is a fact. I wish we could be more blunt in discussing obesity in this country, sweeping things under the rug is what has lead to the diabetes crisis.

It is not much fun being a type 1 when 90% of diabetics in the UK have type 2 and you're forced to share healthcare resources.

Heaven forbid people have to share healthcare resources with those 'disgusting fat people'!

Thank goodness you didn't, at least, trot out the old 'lifestyle choice' nonsense. Because of course lifestyles are so very frequently NOT a choice.

Yes let's discuss obesity. All the causes. We could start with NHS related causes. People who (pre pandemic) waited months, even years, for medical treatment. With limited mobility whilst waiting. Or those with misdiagnosed conditions dismissed as anxiety, thyroid being a common one, that cause weight gain. Or those on medications that cause weight gain (many MH ones for example). And then there's the link to poverty and MH. Prolonged stress increases cortisol. Long-term that causes abdominal fat. Grinding poverty is immensely stressful.

And what about the estimated 10-15% of type 2s? That's likely as many if not more people than type 1s. Even if not, this isn't a competition. All diabetics deserve equal treatment and empathy.

Toffee do you have any close family/friends with type 1? I havent RTFT.

An ex boyfriend was type 1 Wolfgirrl
We parted on amicable terms.
Not quite sure why that's relevant?

I just wasnt sure if you were aware of the sheer relentless lifelong hell that is t1d that's all. I assumed if you had you would understand why it is quite hard for me to sympathise with people with a milder and self inflicted version of it that block up hospitals meaning I cant get a consultant appointment sooner than a year in advance.

wolf wow just wow

@Wolfgirrl you are coming across so badly, it is quite hard to describe.

I sympathise with people who have any condition. Particularly those who are victim blamed by people who persist in repeating the myth that lifestyle goes hand in hand with choice. My ex understood that.

The long waits for treatment for any condition are wrong. But that's something for the government to sort out.

Like I said it's those long waits with disabling pain and/or immobility that lead to type 2 developing for many. Amongst other non self-inflicted reasons.

As far as I can make out, my type2 came from hereditary factors plus years of trauma and stress, from childhood and adulthood.
Wish I'd have read this thread years ago, I'd have opted out from all that :)

Like I said it's those long waits with disabling pain and/or immobility that lead to type 2 developing for many. Amongst other non self-inflicted reasons.

This is true. I’ve seen it. It’s always made me determined to hang on to good BUPA cover, (which is leading to some interesting frugality discussions now). The NHS crumbles more each year. I know I have genetic reason to fear this.

I also find your earlier points about thyroid and endocrinology entirely credible @Toffee

Evidently some people are just very motivated to feel morally superior, on any basis, any subject, any evidence base. Interesting.

@Wolfgirrl you remind me of a t1 I met who, when I said I had type 2, immediately said 'oh, you're one of those lifestyle c*nts'.

Lovely folk.

I fully acknowledge that a minority of type 2 diabetics are diabetic through genetics, medicine, other health conditions etc. But we cannot pretend they make up anything like the number of the obese type 2s.

I know it looks bad, but it's like equating someone with genetic liver disease to an alcoholic. It's a little bit insulting really.

I'm sorry I do know how bad this looks but surely it is better not to soft soap the issue?!

Sorry you developed it NervousInYorkshire
Significant ongoing stress is, I believe, a much overlooked cause of Type 2. Long-term raised levels of cortisol can lead to weight gain particularly visceral fat.
The genetic factor too is, I suspect, underplayed. There are many obese people who don't develop type 2. Other people with only slightly increased weight gain do.

I know it looks bad, but it's like equating someone with genetic liver disease to an alcoholic. It's a little bit insulting really.

No it’s not. It’s just you being unpleasant. Unclench, be kinder and more empathetic. Realise life isn’t black and white.

@NervousInYorkshire

Yes that was a disgusting thing for them to say to you, and I would never say anything like that.

But it is frustrating to have type 2s trying to relate to you the moment they realise you have type 1.

Our lives are literally dictated by blood sugar, a minimum of 5 injections a day (in my case sometimes up to ten), at least 5 finger prick tests a day, daily hypos leaving you drenched in sweat and dizzy with a racing heart, having to carry all your kit and supplies everywhere, having to find somewhere discreet to inject whenever you are out in public, never ever being able to eat anything without thinking about the consequences, the constant threat of DKA or a major hypo or seizure hanging over your head. I live in fear that I have passed it on to my daughter. It is the death of spontaneity, the death of career choices, the death of being young and carefree. The start of awkward conversations with new boyfriends and friends, the start of endless trips to the doctor and hospital, the start of being a human pin cushion and the start of many nights of broken sleep due to night crashes.

So to hear type 2s drop in, 'Oh yes I have that as well' - it does enrage me if I'm honest.

I hear you @Wolfgirrl

I'd kill to be able to manage my type 1 by self funding a libre, taking some pills and going low carb. How easy is that?!

I had a 2.1 in the night and just felt so terrible
I went into survival mode and ate the kitchen. Woke the next day 28.1

Corrected, low again. A few days later I'm still feeling it.

It's a constant 24/7 disease you can not ever have a break and NO ONE can understand unless they have it so please respect our views